ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Makaradhwaja a gold containing mercurial preparation used for diabetes mellitus in indigenous system of medicine. It is a popular aphrodisiac and rejuvenator traditional medicine. It is prepared by using processed gold, mercury and sulfur in different ratios by applying intermittent heating pattern in Valuka Yantra. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate anti-diabetic effect of Shadguna Balijarita Makaradhwaja (SBM) on streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced to normal rats by injecting STZ in dose 40 mg/kg. Powdered SBM and dried extract of Tinospora cordifolia were mixed with honey and administered orally for 20 days at dose 2.63 mg/kg and 42.34 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The effects of treatment on body weight changes and blood glucose levels were quantified on day 1, 5, 10, 15 and 21 of the experiments. On the 21(st) day, animals were sacrificed and gross histopathological changes in liver, kidney and pancreas were illustrated. Blood sugar level, glyacated hemoglobin, blood urea, serum cholesterol, serum creatinine, serum triglyceride and serum protein were estimated with standard methods. The study was conducted in the year 2011. RESULTS: Test drug observed significant decrease (P < 0.001) in glyacated hemoglobin level compared to diabetic control rats. Blood sugar level of test drug group shown a significant decrease (279.11 ± 57.95) compared with diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that SBM and dried extract of T. cordifolia with honey significantly reduces the blood glucose level and shows anti-diabetic effect.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Thalassemia major is a malignant type of genetic disorder and iron overload is the main complication of the disease which results due to frequent blood transfusions. Gandhakadi Yoga has been proved effective against iron overload in experimental studies and pilot voluntary study, hence, taken for clinical evaluation in the present study. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Gandhakadi Yoga as an adjuvant therapy in the management of thalassemia major. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 46 patients of age group 2-12 years were registered and randomly divided into two groups. Group A (trial group-Gandhakadi Yoga with blood transfision (BT)) and Group B (control Group-with BT and iron chelation therapy). The assessment was done based on the subjective and objective parameters after12 weeks of treatment, with a follow-up of 12 weeks. The data obtained in clinical study was analyzed using Student's "t" test. RESULTS: Trial drug provided highly significant result (P < 0.001) in most of the subjective parameters and BT interval was prolonged. In Group A, the maximum improvement was found in three patients (13.04%); moderate improvement in 15 patients (65.22%) and mild improvement in five patients (21.74%). No adverse drug reaction was reported during the clinical study. CONCLUSION: Gandhakadi Yoga provided better results than control in subjective and objective parameters, BT interval and general health status, hence, has an effective role as an adjuvant in the management of thalassemia major.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Makaradhwaja, a herbomineral preparation, is a popular aphrodisiac and rejuvenator in traditional medicine. It is prepared from purified gold, mercury, and sulphur in different proportions by the application of gradually increasing heat in modified electrical muffle furnace (Valuka Yantra). To find out major and minor trace elements and structural composition of Makaradhwaja, its chemical characterization is needed. AIM: This study aims to develop preliminary physicochemical profile of Shadguna Balijarita Makaradhwaja (SBM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Physicochemical characterization of Shadguna Balijarita Makaradhwaja was carried out by adopting various techniques, viz. X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to determine structure and contents. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Shadguna Balijarita Makaradhwaja contains 12131 ppm of gold in inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry study. FTIR study revealed few organic compounds. Structurally, it is a mercuric sulfide having an empirical formula HgS.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Metallic Bhasmas are highly valued and have their own importance in Ayurvedic formulations. To testify the Bhasmas various parameters have been told in Rasashastra classics. Tamra Bhasma (TB) with its different properties is used in the treatment of various diseases is quiet famous among the Ayurvedic physicians (Vaidyas). OBJECTIVES: The present study was carried out to set up the quality control parameters for the TB by making the use of classical tests along with advanced analytical tools. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Copper wire taken for the preparation of Bhasma was first analyzed for its copper content and then subjected to Shodhana, Marana and Amrutikarana procedures as per the classical references. Final product complied with all the classical parameters like Rekhapurnatwa, Varitaratwa etc. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After complying with these tests TB was analyzed by advanced analytical techniques like particle size distribution (PSD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and inductive coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP). RESULTS: PSD analysis of TB showed volumetric mean diameter of 28.70 µm, 50% of the material was below 18.40 µm size. Particle size less than 2µm were seen in SEM. 56.24 wt % of copper and 23.06 wt % of sulphur was found in ICP-AES. Heavy metals like cadmium, selenium were not detected while others like arsenic, lead and mercury were present in traces. CONCLUSIONS: These observations could be specified as the quality control parameters conforming to all the classical tests under the Bhasma Pariksha.
